NEW YORK (November 17, 2016) — Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell received an unprecedented honor last night, as their book March: Book Three became the first graphic novel to ever receive the National Book Award.

The March trilogy, published by Top Shelf Productions / IDW Publishing, depicts Lewis’s firsthand account of the Civil Rights Movement, reflecting on the role of young people in the “nonviolent revolution” of the 1960s and its direct legacy in the modern day. Its previous honors include the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, the Eisner Award, two Harvey Awards, and a Coretta Scott King Author Honor. March is rapidly being adopted by universities and public school systems from New York to San Francisco, and recently spent six continuous weeks holding the top 3 spots on the New York Times Bestseller List.

“This is unbelievable,” said Congressman Lewis after receiving the award from Katherine Paterson, chair of the Young People’s Literature award jury. His voice shook with obvious emotion as he recalled a childhood visit to the public library in rural Alabama, where “we were told that the library was for whites only and not for coloreds. Now, to come here and receive this award, with these two… it’s too much.”

Nate Powell dedicated the award to his children “and their generation that will inherit this earth,” as well as to the incoming president of the United States, expressing a wish that it might transform his heart.

“There are two important lessons from this,” concluded Andrew Aydin, after many thank-yous. “One is that the story of the Movement must be told. We all must know it, if we are to understand the politics of today. And two: let the prejudice against comic books be buried once and for all.”

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2017 will be here before we know it — and Top Shelf is delighted to be launching our year with a witty and wise debut from Brooklyn cartoonist Lauren Purje!

You Might Be an Artist If..., now available for pre-order, is a charming hardcover collecting years of Lauren Purje’s addictively relatable comic strips about the ups & downs of life as an artist. Flights of fancy, bitter grumblings, pep-talks, self-doubt, inspiration, procrastination, and more are all captured with a wry and relatable sense of humor.

Capturing the moments that remind us why we take art seriously — but not TOO seriously — Purje’s comics are a perfect handbook for anyone living the creative life.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the award-winning March graphic novel trilogy is being adopted in seventh-grade English Language Arts courses across Atlanta Public Schools. The series, created by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell, has already been adopted by major public school districts such as New York City and San Francisco. Now, APS brings the bestselling story of John Lewis to schools throughout Atlanta, a landmark nexus of the civil rights movement as well as Aydin's hometown and Lewis's constituent district.

Up next for March: the authors travel to New York City to accept their Finalist medals from the National Book Awards, and see whether March: Book Three will become the first graphic novel ever to win!

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"If there was ever a true 'all-ages' book, this is it. Korgi hits every note perfectly, and can hook readers all across the spectrum with its tantalizing suspense and action.... The art is spectacular." — School Library Journal's Good Comics for Kids

“Guaranteed to be loved by children. Its Disney-esque beauty and Bone-like comic timing and fantasy adventure are thoroughly enjoyable, and Slade’s black-and-white draftsmanship is impeccable.” — The AV Club

"In many ways, Korgi is a prime example of how to handle an all-ages book. With just the right level of surprise and adventure, it’s determined to hook older readers just as quickly as children." — Read about Comics

Magic potions can be powerful stuff, but they don't always turn out like you want. Our canine hero, Sprout the Korgi, learns this the hard way — and goes through quite the transformation — in his latest adventure! This mixed-up woodland fairy tale features Ivy's first meeting with Sprout, a surprisingly musical new trick, an undead unicorn, more of those pesky Creephogs, and at least one giant boulder.

As always, the story unfolds in lovingly detailed pen-and-ink drawings. From the heart, mind, and hands of Christian Slade comes the most fantastic and creative chapter yet from the enchanting world of Korgi.

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NEW YORK (October 10, 2016) — Return of the Dapper Men, the Eisner-award-winning graphic novel by Jim McCann and Janet Lee, will be republished in a deluxe new edition in summer 2017 from its new home at Top Shelf Productions, an imprint of IDW Publishing.

The deal, announced yesterday at New York Comic Con, also includes the long-awaited expansion of the Dapper Men story into a trilogy. McCann and Lee reunite for an all-new sequel, Time of the Dapper Men, which will be released in summer 2018.

“After seeing three disparate pieces of Janet's art one Christmas I couldn't get them out of my head," says writer Jim McCann. "In my mind they fit into a story, and that tale became the Dapper Men saga. I'm so lucky Janet said yes to taking this journey together, and now, thanks to Top Shelf/IDW, our characters get to continue their journeys in the trilogy we envisioned."

Artist Janet Lee adds, “From the very first, Jim and I dreamed that the adventures of Ayden, Zoe, and the inhabitants of Anorev would be told in a trilogy of books. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be working with the folks at Top Shelf to make that happen. Top Shelf is the home of comics that changed my life. Now my beloved characters have a home there too.”

“Jim and Janet have created a world of wonder that appeals not only to children but to the child inside all of us," says Top Shelf editor-in-chief Chris Staros. "I’m very pleased to be working with them as they bring the world of the Dapper Men to new life at Top Shelf.”

McCann adds a few hints about what comes next for the world of the Dapper Men: "We will see more whimsy, more choices to be made, more challenges to overcome, lessons to learn, and of course more new characters for Janet to draw in Time of the Dapper Men. I'd tell you about the final book, but let's just say the ending of Time will have you guessing and gasping for more. And you'll get it. Finally."